■ BASKETBALL
Shaq files for divorce
Shaquille O'Neal has filed to divorce his wife after nearly five years of marriage, his attorney said on Tuesday. Attorney Ira Elegant said the petition was filed on behalf of the Miami Heat center in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Tuesday. It was not immediately clear who is representing Shaunie O'Neal in the case. The Heat did not have an immediate comment, and Shaquille O'Neal did not respond to a request for comment made through the team. According to the filing, which was first reported by the Miami Herald on its Web site on Tuesday night, Shaquille O'Neal is asking Shaunie O'Neal to provide a "correct accounting of all money, funds, stocks, bonds and other securities" that she had access to or obtained during the marriage. They are the parents of six children; Shaquille and Shaunie O'Neal had four together, and each had one other before their Dec. 26, 2002, wedding.
■ BASEBALL
Suspect bats pass scrutiny
The bats were fine. Bats seized from the New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez and Tampa Bay's Akinori Iwamura were examined by Major League Baseball on Tuesday, three days after opponents asked the umpires to check them out. "Both bats were in full compliance with Major League Baseball's bat regulations, and neither bat showed any signs of tampering and/or alteration," the commissioner's office said in a statement. "The bats will be returned to Iwamura and Rodriguez promptly." After Yankees manager Joe Torre asked umpires whether Iwamura's unusual model, featuring a flat end rather than a rounded one, was legal, Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon asked the umps to examine Rodriguez's bat an inning later.
■ SOCCER
Corinthians offices raided
Police raided the offices of Brazil's famed Corinthians club in Sao Paulo on Tuesday and seized computers and documents in an operation to investigate alleged frauds by former team directors. Prosecutors accuse the directors of fraud and conspiracy, saying nearly 500,000 Brazilian reals (US$255,000) in fraudulent receipts were issued between 2000 and 2005 by an accounting company allegedly linked to the directors. "Corinthians is the victim of frauds by its directors," prosecutor Jose Reinaldo Carneiro told the Lancepress sports news agency. Former president Alberto Dualib and some of the directors during the period under investigation were summoned for interrogation. One employee was detained trying to flee with a computer. Corinthians, a four-time Brazilian champion, came under scrutiny recently because of a controversial partnership with the London-based Media Sports Investment fund, or MSI.
■ FIELD HOCKEY
India storms into semis
Defending champion India stormed into the semi-finals of the men's field hockey Asia Cup in Chennai, India, with a 6-0 victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday. Two goals each from Vokkaliga Raghunath and Prabhjot Singh featured in India's fourth successive victory in Pool B. Asian Games winner South Korea and China are in contention for the second semi-final spot from this group. South Korea and China have six points each from three matches, both having lost their games against India.
Malaysia consolidated its position in Pool A with a 2-0 victory over Japan.
Posting wins in all its three outings, Malaysia heads the pool standings with nine points.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely